Thursday, May 16, 2019

A New York Supreme Court judge has ruled that Woodstock 50 organizers may proceed with the anniversary concert this summer as planned while releasing financial partner Denstu from further obligations related to the event.

Billboard reports Justice Barry Ostrager wrapped up hearings this week on Wednesday with a ruling that the Japanese conglomerate won’t have to return the $18 million it withdrew from a bank account it shared with organizers over concerns for “the health and safety of the artists, partners and attendees.”

In his 10-page opinion, Ostrager determined that Dentsu acted outside of the powers granted to them in their contract with Woodstock 50when they announced the cancellation of the festival on April 29 but that the company had “the right to approve all expenditures" and to "mitigate its damages" over concerns that "multiple permits necessary to conduct the Festival were not in place, tickets had not yet been sold, no budget had been agreed upon, necessary and expensive structural improvements to the Festival site and related areas had not yet started, and the production company essential to produce the Festival had withdrawn."

For his part, promoter Michael Lang declared victory on behalf of organizers in the proceedings, issuing a statement that "We have always relied on the truth and have never lost faith that the Festival would take place. I would like to thank all of the talent and their representatives for their patience and support. Woodstock 50 will be an amazing and inspiring festival experience."

Lang and company will now need to secure additional financing in the range of $20 to $30 million to secure permits and pull the festival off; for more details, visit billboard.com.

Scheduled to run August 16-18 at Watkins Glen International, the 2019 edition is planning to once again deliver "3 Days of Peace and Music" with an announced diverse lineup that includes Robert Plant, Santana, Greta Van Fleet and original Woodstock performers Santana, Dead & Company, John Fogerty, David Crosby And Friends, John Sebastian, Country Joe Mcdonald, Canned Heat, Hot Tuna and Melanie alongside The Killers, The Black Keys, Jay-Z, Imagine Dragons, Sturgill Simpson, Gary Clark Jr. and dozens more.